Community gathers to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Observers at Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at Bardstown Cemetery pause as the flag is raised from half-staff as the ceremony draws to a close.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Monday, May 30, 2016, 3:15 p.m. (UPDATED – Added link to Memorial Day video) — As has been tradition for many years, Kenny Fogle, former Kentucky Air National Guard master chief, welcomed guests as emcee to the community’s traditional Memorial Day observance at the Bardstown City Cemetery.
USCG Capt. Bill Huston, former president of St. Catharine College, was the main speaker at Monday’s Memorial Day observance at the Bardstown Cemetery.
After a short welcome message from Bardstown Mayor John Royalty, Fogle introduced the featured speaker, USCG Capt. Bill Huston, the former president of St. Catharine College.
Huston thanked the veterans and their families who attended Monday’s service, and gave credit to American Legion Posts 42, 121 and 167 for supporting the annual event in an era where Memorial Day observances and parades have all but died out.
Huston has worn the uniform of three branches of the service, including 2 years in the Army, six years in the U.S. Navy special forces, and then 30 years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
He said he often walked the rows and rows of the graves of our nation’s heroes in national cemeteries and wonders about the contributions by those men and women.
He said the nation’s war dead came from all walks of life and all socio-economic backgrounds. In the days of the draft, one could be certain that some were rich, some were poor, some were willing to serve and some were not — but did so anyway because it was their duty to do so.
“They are all heroes for their service to our country,” he said.
Huston said he is concerned about the lack of diversity in today’s all-volunteer military.
“Fewer Americans today than in any time in our history, chose to enter military service,” he said.
From left, Post Commanders Frank Thompson, Richard Nest and Greg “Spoony” Rogers prepare to place the wreath honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country at Monday’s Memorial Day service.
Fewer and fewer upper-middle class men or women are choosing to enter military service. And each year, fewer people attend events like Monday’s observance recall the true meaning of Memorial Day, he said.
As one way to remember the sacrifice of our nation’s heroes, Huston recommended visitors read “We Must Remember,” a book by local authers Dr. Harry Spalding and Don Parrish. The book features stories of the Bardstown area men who were part of National Guard unit Battery C, Second Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, which suffered 50% casualties on Tomahawk Hill in June 1969.
The ceremony concluded with Russ Marlowe reading the American Legion’s national Memorial Day message. Marlowe also presented Huston with a copy of his wife’s just-completed novel.
As is tradition, one of the legion posts offered a light lunch after the ceremony. This year Post 121 hosted the lunch and refreshments.
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